Pictures and messages of support as Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi diagnosed with cancer

ROCK fans have reacted with shock and sadness at the news that Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi has been diagnosed with cancer.

ROCK fans have reacted with shock and sadness at the news that Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi has been diagnosed with cancer.

The band’s official Facebook page announced that Iommi had early-stage lymphoma and added that "The Iron Man of Rock & Roll remains upbeat and determined to make a full and successful recovery."

Fans and members of the rock community flooded the internet with messages of support for the 63-year-old, who topped Guitar World’s 100 Greatest Metal Guitarists of All Time list in 2004 and in 2011 was ranked 25th in Rolling Stone magazine’s 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time.

Fellow rock guitarist and former Guns N' Roses band member Slash tweeted: "Best wishes for a full recovery to Tony Iommi."

Ultimate Guitar.com wrote on its website: "UG would like to extend its best wishes to Tony during this difficult time. We’re pleased to see that it was diagnosed early and hope readers will join us in wishing him a speedy recovery."

Rock magazine Kerrang! said: "Everyone at Kerrang! hopes that Tony makes a speedy recovery." Comments on its site included one from AwR that said: "I hope you get recover soon! You’re a ROCK GOD, hope you rock your way back to health" and another from Craig Squires that read: "Hope you make a speedy recovery Tony, you really are a legend."

On Twitter, Total Guitar wrote "Please join us in wishing Tony Iommi all the best. Get well soon Iron Man."

Rock It Music tweeted "Hopefully he gets better soon and the tour won’t be delayed", while iGuitarMag wrote: "Very sad to hear Tony Iommi has been diagnosed with lymphoma - we wish him a full and speedy recovery."

Among the 3,000 comments on Facebook, Scott Arena said: "Tony, you are indeed one of the greatest to pick up the six string - my prayers are with you! Get well soon."

Erin A Trotti said: "I pray he will beat this" and Jamie Nichol said: "This is not allowed to happen, get well Tommy for thou art the Iron Man of the guitar."

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